Outsourcing for photographers is a way to reclaim your time. I’m taking a wild guess that if you are reading this post, you are a photographer who cares deeply about your clients and the business you have spent years building. Which is why letting go a part of your business can often feel daunting – no one can do something as well as you can right?
But here’s the thing, if you find someone who can truly understand your business and treat it with the same intention as you do – they might even be able to do things better than you could!!
The key is finding someone who truly aligns with your values and can intuitively understand what you need – Even when you don’t know what you need, or struggle to communicate your needs.
When I work with my clients, part of my process is having regular conversations, and intention setting calls. Communication is really integral to the service I provide because often my clients feel overwhelmed by the small details and forget to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. They have a co-creation partner to spot the gaps, ask questions and help them figure out which tasks are truly important and actually going to make an impact in their business.
If you are in a season of business where you find yourself struggling to find enough hours in the day. Or are yearning for a way to streamline your processes and regain control of your time – then it might be time to outsource.
I want to start with this disclaimer – outsourcing isn’t always the answer. And it’s not a magic solution to gaining more time. It’s a commitment to working with a strategic partner who can slowly help you go from feeling discombobulated to feeling more ease as you create the systems and processes that build solid foundations in your business.
Sign 1: Recognising the need for outsourcing in your photography business
I think we all wish we had a few more hours in the day – but if you’re at a point in your business where you are spending more time working on your marketing, client experience or admin tasks, instead of being the creative visionary or CEO of your business, then it is probably a good time to think of outsourcing.
There is nothing wrong with prioritising these tasks – in fact they are vital to help your business thrive, but they can be done by someone other than you. In contrast, only you can work directly with your clients to get the results they crave, only you can take that photo, or help them truly see themselves.
And if you want to spend more time doing that, then hiring a VA to take care of all the other things can really give you the freedom to serve your clients better, and give you the ease and balance you seek.
Sign 2: Seeing outsourcing as a photographer as the key to unlocking your business’s potential
By now you have figured out who you love to serve, you are fully booked with clients, and your business has seen success – but you have bigger dreams, hopes and desires. Whether that is to travel more, spend more time with your family, increase your rates, create passive income, buy a camper van (ok that one is mine #vanlife) or taking two months off for the year to rest or complete a creative project.
You know exactly what you need to do to reach those goals, but you just don’t have those spare hours to actually bring your visions to life! Or you are struggling to break down bigger projects and tasks into small and more actionable steps – in both cases having the help of a Virtual Assistant and outsourcing these tasks would be invaluable, enabling you to actually reach those goals!!
Sign 3: Feel ready to elevate your photography business through strategic outsourcing
As a photographer, you probably started your business for the freedom it offers
The freedom to do things your own way
The freedom to work how and when you want to
The freedom to be creative and express yourself through your work
The freedom to make an impact through the work you do with your clients
The freedom that comes from knowing you have done enough and to enjoy the fruits of your labour
If you have reached a point in your business where you have reached your goals, you’re doing the work that lights you up, working with the folks who get you, and who value your work, and all you need to do now is maintain what you have already worked so hard to build and simply create more margin in your work week – then having a VA to tend to your business foundations, doing the groundwork that allows your business to thrive so that you can enjoy being the visionary and creative director of your business.
The only way to get more space and freedom in your business is to create it – and the simplest way of doing that is by outsourcing.
Ready to embrace the benefits of outsourcing as a photographer?
There may never be a “perfect” time to hire a VA, but if you feel an intuitive nudge that it’s time to explore the advantages of outsourcing for photographers, then my suggestion is to experiment and give it a try. This could be the first step to create more ease and flow in your work week so that you can prioritise your creativity and the things that bring you joy.
If this really resonates with you and you want to find out more – head on over to see how we can work together. Or sign up to my newsletter where I share more tips on how I run a thoughtful & intentional business rooted in slow business values & principles.
